Monthly Archives: September 2011

THREE ALAMEDA COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTIES HELPING IN THE SEARCH FOR DOUBLE HOMICIDE SUSPECT AARON BASSLER WERE FIRED UPON TWICE YESTERDAY MORNING.

THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE JUST BEFORE NOON IN ROUGHLY THE SAME AREA WHERE A NUMBER OF VACATION CABINS HAVE BEEN BROKEN INTO RECENTLY. THE DEPUTIES WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE SHOOTER AS BASSLER WHO HAD MANAGED TO CHANGE INTO ALL BLACK CLOTHING SINCE BEING CAUGHT ON CAMERA WEARING LIGHT CLOTHING JUST DAYS AGO. BASSLER FIRED SEVERAL SHOTS FROM A HIGH POWERED RIFLE FROM A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 100 YARDS. THE DEPUTIES RETURNED FIRE AND BASSLER DISAPPEARED. THE DEPUTIES CAME UNDER FIRE FOR A SECOND TIME FROM A DIFFERENT LOCATION ON THEIR FLANK APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES LATER. THEY RETURNED FIRE AGAIN AND BASSLER ESCAPED. NONE OF THE OFFICERS WERE INJURED DURING THE FIRE FIGHT. IT IS UNKNOWN IF BASSLER WAS WOUNDED. MORE OFFICERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE ARE ARRIVING TODAY TO AID IN THE SEARCH, WHICH WILL ENTER ITS 5TH WEEK TOMORROW.

WOMAN ARRESTED IN PHARMACY ROBBERIES JKB 9/30/11

A CLEARLAKE WOMAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER SHE TRIED TO HOLD UP TWO UKIAH PHARMACIES ON WEDNESDAY.

44 YEAR OLD CAROL SUE CADDY IS ACCUSED OF GOING TO THE SAFEWAY PHARMACY AT AROUND 3:40 PM, TELLING AN EMPLOYEE SHE HAD A GUN AND DEMANDING A POWERFUL PRESCRIPTION NARCOTIC. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, CADDY SEEMED NERVOUS AND LEFT WITHOUT THE DRUG. A SHORT WHILE LATER, SHE ENTERED THE BLUE DRUG STORE ON SOUTH DORA STREET, TOLD AN EMPLOYEE SHE HAD A GUN IN HER PURSE AND DEMANDED THE SAME PRESCRIPTION NARCOTIC. SHE FLED WITH THE MEDICATION, BUT WAS SPOTTED BY A WITNESS CHANGING CLOTHES NEARBY. CADDY AND A MALE COMPANION, 49 YEAR OLD JAMES DOUGLAS CADDY, WERE LATER FOUND HIDING IN A NEARBY YARD AND ARRESTED WITHOUT INCIDENT.

WINEMAKERS HOME BURNS JKB 9/30/11

A MANSION HOME OF A WELL KNOW WINEMAKER ON ATLAS PEAK NORTHEAST OF NAPA WAS LARGELY DESTROYED BY A FIRE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.

NO ONE WAS HOME WHEN NEIGHBORS REPORTED THE FIRE AT AROUND 5 PM. ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, THE BLAZE BROKE OUT IN AN ADDITION THAT WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND SPREAD TO THE MAIN HOUSE. THE ADDITION WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND THE MAIN HOUSE WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED. THE HOME BELONGS TO WINEMAKER JAYSON PAHLMEYER. THE BLAZE ALSO SCORCHED A LITTLE LESS THAN AN ACRE OF SURROUNDING LAND. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

EAST BAY EARTHQUAKE JKB 9/30/11

THE EAST BAY WAS RATTLED BY A 3.3 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE YESTERDAY.

THE QUAKE OCCURRED AT 4:47 PM AND WAS CENTERED 2 MILES SOUTH EAST OF OAKLAND. THERE WERE NO REPORTED DAMAGES OR INJURIES.

BEEF RECALL JKB 9/30/11

TYSON FRESH MEATS INCORPORATED IS RECALLING MORE THAN 131,000 POUNDS OF GROUND BEEF PRODUCTS THAT MAY BE CONTAMINATED WITH E.COLI.

THE PRODUCTS INCLUDE 5 POUND CHUBS OF KROGER BRAND GROUND BEEF, 3 POUND CHUBS OF BUTCHERS BRAND GROUND BEEF AND 3 POUND CHUBS OF GENERIC LABEL GROUND BEEF, ALL LABELED AS 73% LEAN 27% FAT. THE PRODUCTS HAVE A BEST BEFORE OR FREEZE BY DATE OF SEPTEMBER 12TH 2011 AND THE ESTABLISHMENT NUMBER 245D INK JETTED ALONG THE PACKAGE SEAM. THE USDA IS CONCERNED THAT SOME PRODUCT MAY BE IN CONSUMERS FREEZERS, AND STRONGLY ENCOURAGES CONSUMERS TO CHECK THEIR FREEZERS AND IMMEDIATELY DISCARD ANY PRODUCT SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL.

CONSUMER ALERT ISSUED FOR RELIGIOUS PAN HANDLING JKB 9/30/11

MENDOCINO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY DAVID EYSTER HAS ISSUED A CONSUMER ALERT FOR ONGOING PANHANDLING BY A RELIGIOUS GROUP OUT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

THE GROUP, KNOWN FOR MISSIONARIES WEARING BAND-LIKE WHITE UNIFORMS AND HOLDING DONATION CANS HAS BEEN SOLICITING DONATIONS IN FRONT OF VARIOUS STORES IN UKIAH. ACCORDING TO EYSTER ONE OF THE MISSIONARIES WHEN QUESTIONED ADMITTED THAT NONE OF THE MONEY COLLECTED IS SHARED WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS OR GOES TO HELP THE NEEDY IN MENDOCINO COUNTY. THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY HAS ALSO ASKED THE CHURCH TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON MONEY COLLECTED IN THE COUNTY AND SERVICES PROVIDED LOCALLY, BUT TO DATE HAS RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. WHILE DONATIONS TO LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS OR AGENCIES YOU SUPPORT IS ENCOURAGED, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY ADVISES A LITTLE INVESTIGATION BEFORE MAKING A DONATION.

FCC NUMBERS ON BROADBAND SERVICE DISPUTED JKB 9/30/11

THE BROADBAND ALLIANCE OF MENDOCINO COUNTY SAYS THE FCCS STATISTICS ON HOW MANY PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH SPEED INTERNET ARE WRONG.

IN A REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE FCC ON SEPTEMBER 16TH, THE ALLIANCE STATED THE FCCS DEPLOYMENT DATA ON ITS MAP SHOWING THAT 84% OF HOMES IN THE COUNTY HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH PERFORMANCE BROADBAND INTERNET SERVICE WAS OVERSTATED, AND THAT ACCORDING TO ITS OWN RESEARCH, WAS CLOSER TO ONLY 50%. THE FCC IS CURRENTLY GATHERING INFORMATION TO DETERMINE IF ACCESS TO BROADBAND CAPABILITY IS BEING ADEQUATELY DEPLOYED TO CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES ACROSS THE NATION AS CLAIMED BY MAJOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDERS. THE ALLIANCE IS CURRENTLY ASKING ALL MENDOCINO COUNTY RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES TO RESPOND TO A SURVEY TO HELP CORRECT THE FCC MAPS, AND HOPEFULLY BRING BROADBAND TO EVERY AREA OF THE COUNTY THAT IS BEING UNSERVED OR UNDERSERVED. THE SURVEY CAN BE FOUND AT MENDOCINOBROADBAND.NET, IS DIAL UP COMPATIBLE, AND TAKE ONLY A FEW MINUTES TO COMPLETE.

FINGERPRINTS HAVE POSITIVELY LINKED DOUBLE HOMICIDE SUSPECT AARON BASSLER TO THE BREAK IN OF A REMOTE VACATION CABIN 14 MILES EAST OF FORT BRAGG ALONG THE NOYO RIVER WATERSHED SEPTEMBER 25TH.

IT APPEARED ONLY FOOD ITEMS WERE TAKEN DURING THAT BURGLARY. DETECTIVES ARE ALSO INVESTIGATING THE BURGLARIES OF ONE FULL TIME RESIDENCE AND TWO VACATION CABINS LOCATED IN THE 17000 BLOCK OF NORTHSPUR ROAD. FOOD, ALONG WITH A .22 CALIBER RIFLE AND A 12 GAUGE SHOTGUN WERE TAKEN DURING THE BREAK INS. BASSLER IS BELIEVED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THOSE BURGLARIES AND THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT ACTIVATED THE REVERSE 911 SYSTEM YESTERDAY TO WARN RESIDENTS OF NORTHSPUR OF HIS PRESENCE IN THE AREA. THE SEARCH FOR BASSLER ENTERS ITS 33RD DAY TODAY.

PRISON FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE JKB 9/29/11

A UKIAH MAN WAS SENTENCED TO PRISON YESTERDAY FOR INFLICTING SEVER INJURIES ON HIS FEMALE HOUSEMATE LAST JANUARY,

43 YEAR OLD STEVEN CLEARANCE MACE WAS ARRESTED AT THE SCENE AFTER HE ATTACKED HIS PARTNER OF 21 YEARS IN A DOMESTIC DISPUTE. ACCORDING TO POLICE, MACE ATTEMPTED TO STRANGLE THE WOMAN AND THEN POUNDED HER HEAD ON FLOOR UNTIL A DAUGHTER INTERVENED. THE WOMANS INJURIES WERE SO SEVERE THAT SHE HAD TO BE AIRLIFTED TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL TRAUMA CENTER. AT THE HOSPITAL, EVIDENCE OF PRIOR PHYSICAL ABUSE WAS APPARENT. MACE HAD PRIOR CONVICTIONS FOR VIOLENT OFFENSES AND WAS ON PROBATION AT THE TIME OF THE ASSAULT. HE WAS SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS IN STATE PRISON.

DAUGHTER OF SUPERVISOR BUSTED FOR POT JKB 9/29/11

THE MENDOCINO MAJOR CRIMES TASK FORCE RAIDED THE REDWOOD VALLEY HOME OF THIRD DISTRICT SUPERVISOR JOHN PINCHES DAUGHTER ON WEDNESDAY, SEIZING 132 MARIJUANA PLANTS GROWING IN A SHED.

TASK FORCE MEMBERS SERVED THE SEARCH WARRANT AFTER A DEPUTY MAKING A TRAFFIC STOP NOTICED 76 GROWING PLANTS AT THE HOME OF ANGELA PINCHES SEPTEMBER 12TH. 51 OF THE PLANTS WERE CONFISCATED FOR BEING OVER THE PARCEL LIMIT OF 25 AND THE TASK FORCE WAS NOTIFIED. PINCHES, WHO HAS A MEDICAL MARIJUANA RECOMMENDATION WAS NOT ARRESTED, BUT ONLY CITED IN BOTH INCIDENTS. HER CASE HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE FOR PROSECUTION.

PRE-LIM FOR CLEARLAKE SHOOTERS JKB 9/29/11

THE PRELIMINARY HEARING OF THREE MEN ACCUSED OF SHOOTING INTO A FAMILY GATHERING AND KILLING A 4 YEAR OLD BOY IN CLEARLAKE, BEGAN YESTERDAY.

29 YEAR OLD KEVIN STONE, 23 YEAR OLD ORLANDO LOPEZ, AND 21 YEAR OLD PAUL BRADEN HAVE EACH BEEN CHARGED WITH 1 COUNT OF MURDER AND 5 COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED MURDER IN THE SHOOTING THAT KILLED 4 YEAR OLD SKYLAR RAP AND INJURED FIVE OTHERS JUNE 18TH. PROSECUTORS SAY THERE HAD BEEN CONFLICT BETWEEN THE ACCUSED AND SKYLARS STEPFATHER, ROSS SPARKS IN THE DAYS PRIOR TO SHOOTING. THE ATTACK IS BELIEVED TO BE RETALIATORY.

CLEARLAKES MOST WANTED CAPTURED JKB 9/29/11

A MAN WHO WAS NAMED AS THE CLEARLAKE POLICE DEPARTMENTS MOST WANTED ON MONDAY, WAS ARRESTED ON TUESDAY.

48 YEAR OLD ROGER DANIEL VIGIL WAS WANTED ON SEVERAL OUTSTANDING FELONY WARRANTS. HE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY WITHOUT INCIDENT AFTER BEING SPOTTED AT A LOCAL BUSINESS.

RAPE SENTENCE JKB 9/29/11

A EUREKA MAN WAS SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS IN PRISON YESTERDAY, FOR THE RAPE OF AN ARCATA WOMAN LAST SUMMER.

38 YEAR OLD KEVIN SCOTT WALKER WAS ARRESTED SHORTLY AFTER HE AND ANOTHER UNKNOWN ASSAILANT RAPED THE WOMAN IN A GREENBELT NEAR THE ARCATA SPORTS COMPLEX WITHIN 50 YARDS OF A SOFTBALL GAME THAT WAS IN PROGRESS JULY 5TH OF LAST YEAR. WALKER WAS ON PROBATION FOR ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON AT THE TIME OF HIS ARREST.

CITY COUNCIL FAVORS LIMITATIONS ON CHAINS DOWNTOWN JKB 9/29/11

THE THREE MEMBERS OF THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL THAT ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE ON A PROPOSED DOWNTOWN ORDINANCE LOOKING TO BAN OR LIMIT FORMULA FAST FOOD BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN, SAY SOME CHAINS WOULD BE WELCOME, WHILE OTHERS WOULD NOT.

MAYOR MARI RODIN, VICE MAYOR MARY ANNE LANDIS AND COUNCIL MEMBER BENJ THOMAS ARE IN FAVOR OF ALLOWING SOME FRANCHISE EXCEPTIONS TO OPEN IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA, SUCH AS COFFEE SHOPS, ICE CREAM PARLORS, BAKERIES AND HOT DOG STANDS. THE ENDORSEMENT WAS MADE AT THE MOST RECENT DOWNTOWN ZONING CODE WORKSHOP ON TUESDAY THAT IS LOOKING TO SET RULES AND STANDARDS FOR BUSINESS THAT WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. COUNCIL MEMBERS DOUG CRANE AND PHIL BALDWIN, WHO OWN PROPERTY NEAR THE CODE ZONE, ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE.

MORE WEST NILE VIRUS TURNS UP IN LAKE COUNTY JKB 9/29/11

MORE EVIDENCE OF WEST NILE VIRUS HAS TURNED UP IN LAKE COUNTY.

AN AMERICAN CROW THAT WAS FOUND IN THE CLEARLAKE OAKS AREA ON SEPTEMBER 15TH HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE VIRUS. MOSQUITO TESTING SHOWED THE FIRST POSITIVE SIGNS OF THE VIRUS IN SAMPLES COLLECTED IN EARLY SEPTEMBER IN LOCATIONS NEAR KELSEYVILLE AND MIDDLETOWN. OFFICIALS SAY IT IS A LATE APPEARANCE FOR THE VIRUS THIS YEAR IN LAKE COUNTY. STATEWIDE A TOTAL OF 70 HUMAN CASES OF WEST NILE VIRUS HAVE BEEN REPORTED FROM 18 COUNTIES THIS YEAR. NO HUMAN CASES OF THE VIRUS HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN LAKE OR MENDOCINO COUNTIES IN 2011.

A PUERTO RICO MAN WAS SENTENCED TO 198 YEARS IN PRISON ON MONDAY, FOR A NEW YEARS DAY ATTACK IN WHICH HE BURNED ALIVE FIVE OF HIS FAMILY MEMBERS AND A SANTA ROSA WOMAN WHO HAD GONE THERE TO MEET THE FAMILY OF HER FIANCÉ.

25 YEAR OLD KATE DONAHUE AND HER FIANCÉ, 28 YEAR OLD JESUS SANCHEZ DIED WITHIN DAYS OF THE ATTACK. 48 YEAR OLD JUSTINO SANCHEZ DIAZ WAS FOUND GUILTY OF SIX COUNTS OF MURDER AND SEVEN COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED MURDER ON SEPTEMBER 8TH.

FIRE DAMAGES HOME JKB 9/28/11

· A FIRE DAMAGED A HOME IN KELSEYVILLE MONDAY AFTERNOON.

THE BLAZE WAS FIRST REPORTED AT 1:45 PM AT THE HOME ON EDGEWOOD DRIVE. QUICK ACTION BY FIREFIGHTERS KEPT THE FIRE CONTAINED TO THE FRONT PORTION OF THE HOMES UPPER STORY. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

HORSE HIT BY PICK UP TRUCK

· A HORSE HAD TO BE EUTHANIZED AFTER BEING HIT BY A PICK UP TRUCK ON HIGHWAY 29 NEAR MIDDLETOWN ON MONDAY.

THE PICK UP WAS TRAVELING NORTH JUST SOUTH OF BRADFORD ROAD WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH THE HORSE THAT HAD RUN INTO THE ROADWAY JUST BEFORE 9 PM. THE DRIVER WAS UNINJURED. THE HORSE WAS PUT DOWN AT THE SCENE.

BASSLER SEARCH POSTPONES NOYO RIVER RUN JKB 9/28/11

· THE ONGOING SEARCH FOR DOUBLE MURDER SUSPECT AARON BASSLER IN THE WOODS BETWEEN FORT BRAGG AND WILLITS HAS CAUSED EVENT OFFICIALS TO POSTPONE THE NOYO RIVER RUN, SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 16TH.

THE EVENT, WHICH IS PART OF THE MENDOCINO COAST HOSPITALS ANNUAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS FAIR, FEATURES A 5 K RUN AND WALK AND A 10 K RUN. THE RACE ROUTE WOULD HAVE TAKEN RUNNERS THROUGH AREAS BEING SEARCHED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE SEARCH FOR BASSLER ENTERS ITS 32ND DAY TODAY.

PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE RECUSES ITSELF JKB 9/28/11

· EVERY MEMBER OF THE LAKE COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE HAD TO RECUSE THEMSELVES FROM REPRESENTING A NICE MAN ACCUSED OF MURDER, BECAUSE OF VARIOUS CONFLICTS OF INTEREST IN THE CASE.

50 YEAR OLD DANIEL RAY LOYD IS ACCUSED IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF 48 YEAR OLD CINDY YVETTE QUIETT OF UPPER LAKE DURING A BOTCHED METHAMPHETAMINE ROBBERY SEPTEMBER 13TH. HE HAS BEEN SCHEDULED TO BE ARRAIGNED TWICE BUT HAS STILL NOT ENTERED A PLEA. THATS BECAUSE EVERY PUBLIC DEFENDER HAD TO DECLARE A CONFLICT BECAUSE ALL OF THEM ARE INVOLVED IN SOME WAY OR ANOTHER WITH EVERY PERSON LISTED AS EITHER A VICTIM OR WITNESSES IN THE CASE. LOYD WAS ASSIGNED AN ATTORNEY FROM UKIAH ON MONDAY AND WILL ENTER A PLEA ON OCTOBER 11TH.

· THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS VOTED 4 TO1 TO DIRECT STAFF TO BEGIN WORK ON A PROPOSAL TO ENACT RENT CONTROLS AT MOBILE HOME PARKS.

3RD DISTRICT SUPERVISOR JOHN PINCHES WAS LONE DISSENTING VOTE, SAYING HED RATHER A SUPERVISOR COMMITTEE WORK ON THE ORDINANCE. MOBILE HOME PARK OWNERS AND RESIDENTS WILL BE INVITED TO WORK ON THE PROPOSAL. MANY CITIES AND COUNTIES HAVE ORDINANCES THAT REGULATE RENT AT MOBILE HOME PARKS INCLUDING THE CITIES OF UKIAH AND SANTA ROSA.

POMO TV TO CLOSE JKB 9/28/11

· AFTER DOING BUSINESS FOR MORE THAN 53 YEARS IN DOWNTOWN UKIAH, POMA TV ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK THAT THEY WILL BE CLOSING THEIR STORE FOR GOOD.

DWINDLING SALES AND THE CURRENT ECONOMY LED TO THE DECISION. POMA TV WAS STARTED BY ART POMA IN 1948 AND HAS BEEN AT ITS CURRENT LOCATION ON THE CORNER OF SCHOOL AND CHURCH STREET SINCE 1975.

FORMER WILLITS HIGH FOOTBALL PLAYER TO PLAY IN HANSEN BOWL JKB 9/28/11

· A FORMER WILLITS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYER IS ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE NFL AFTER BEING INVITED TO PLAY IN THE HANSEN BOWL, FORMERLY THE AZTEC BOWL, COMING UP IN JANUARY.

21 YEAR OLD CHRIS BICKFORD CURRENTLY PLAYS FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER YELLOW JACKETS IN NEW YORK. HE WAS SELECTED AS PRESEASON ALL AMERICAN FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW BY USA FOOTBALL NEWTWORK. ONLY 120 PLAYERS FROM ACROSS THE NATION ARE SELECTED TO PLAY IN THE HANSEN BOWL, WHICH WILL BE ATTENDED BY NFL SCOUTS LOOKING FOR FUTURE SUPERSTARS. THE FAMILY IS HOPING TO RAISE MONEY TO HELP WITH TRAVEL COSTS. THOSE WISHING TO MAKE A DONATION CAN DO SO BY SENDING A CHECK MADE OUT TO THE HANSEN BOWL TO POST OFFICE BOX 1984 IN WILLITS.

A NEW PHOTO OF DOUBLE HOMICIDE SUSPECT AARON BASSLER SHOWING HIM CARRYING A HIGH-CALIBER ASSAULT RIFLE AND VANDALIZING A VACATION CABIN, WAS RELEASED BY THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT YESTERDAY.

THE PHOTO WAS CAPTURED BY ONE OF 40 SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS PLACED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND WAS TAKEN WITHIN THE LAST TWO WEEKS. IN THE PHOTO, BASSLER APPEARS TO BE UNHARMED AND HEALTHY, WEARING A LIGHT COLORED, LONG SLEEVED JACKET OR SHIRT, AND LIGHT COLORED PANTS IN WHICH THE SEAT APPEARS TO BE RIPPED. THE PHOTO IS PRINTED IN TODAYS EDITIONS OF THE PRESS DEMOCRAT AND UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL. AUTHORITIES ALSO ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT DNA EVIDENCE HAS CONCLUSIVELY PLACED BASSLER AT THE SCENE IN THE DEATH OF MENDOCINO LAND TRUST LAND MANAGER MATTHEW COLEMAN AUGUST 11TH. BASSLER IS BEING SOUGHT FOR THE DEATH OF FORT BRAGG CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AND FORESTER JERE MELO AS WELL.

INJURED MOTORCYCLE RIDER IDENTIFIED JKB 9/27/11

A MOTORCYCLE RIDER THAT WAS SEVERELY INJURED IN A COLLISION WITH A PICK UP TRUCK ON HIGHWAY 101 SOUTH OF HOPLAND ON SUNDAY HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS 65 YEAR OLD RANDALL GREMP OF CALISTOGA.

GREMPS MOTORCYCLE COLLIDED WITH THE PICK UP AT 12:20 PM ON A DAY THAT NUMEROUS CRASHES WERE REPORTED IN BOTH LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES DUE TO THE LIGHT RAIN. HE WAS AIRLIFTED TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WITH MAJOR INJURIES. THE ACCIDENT REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

MAN ARRESTED AFTER THREATENING DEPUTY WITH KNIFE JKB 9/27/11

A MAN STAYING AT A POINT ARENA MOTEL WAS ARRESTED AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY BRANDISHED A 10 INCH KNIFE AT A SHERIFFS DEPUTY ON SUNDAY.

34 YEAR OLD JULIO PEREZ HERNANDEZ WAS PRETENDING TO BE ASLEEP WHEN THE DEPUTY ENTERED HIS ROOM AT THE SEASHELL INN TO INVESTIGATE A REPORT OF A DISTURBANCE. WHEN THE DEPUTY TOLD HIM TO GET UP, HERNANDEZ LEAPT TO HIS FEET AND THREATENED THE DEPUTY WITH THE KNIFE. HE WAS DISARMED AT GUNPOINT AND TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AFTER A BRIEF STRUGGLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THE INCIDENT.

$4.5 MILLION DOLLARS AWARDED IN JAIL DEATH JKB 9/27/11

A FEDERAL JURY ON FIRDAY, AWARDED THE FAMILY OF A MAN WHO DIED WHILE IN POLICE CUSTODY IN EUREKA, $4.5 MILLION DOLLARS IN DAMAGES.

THE JURY FOUND THE CITY OF EUREKA AND OFFICERS ADAM LAIRD AND JUSTIN WINKLE LIABLE FOR THE DEATH OF 26 YEAR OLD MARTIN FREDERICK COTTON II IN AUGUST OF 2007. COTTON WAS ALLEGEDLY HIGH ON LSD WHEN HE WAS ARRESTED AT A LOCAL RESCUE MISSION AFTER GETTING INTO SEVERAL FIGHTS THERE. COTTONS CAUSE OF DEATH WAS DETERMINED AS A SUBDURAL HEMATOMA DUE TO BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA. THE JURY FOUND THE OFFICERS USED EXCESSIVE FORCE AND WERE DELIBERATELY INDIFFERENT TO COTTONS MEDICAL CONDITION WHEN HE WAS PLACED IN HIS CELL.

CLEARLAKES MOST WANTED JKB 9/27/11

· THE CLEARLAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ASKING FOR THE PUBLICS HELP IN TRACKING DOWN THEIR NEWLY NAMED MOST WANTED FUGITIVE.

ROGER DANIEL VIGIL IS WANTED ON TWO FELONY WARRANTS, ONE FOR POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE AND THE OTHER FOR A PROBATION VIOLATION. HE IS ALSO WANTED FOR QUESTIONING IN A RECENT RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY IN WHICH FIREARMS WERE TAKEN. VIGIL IS DESCRIBED AS A WHITE MALE ADULT, 5 FEET 7 INCHES TALL, 165 POUNDS WITH BROWN HAIR THAT IS THINNING AND BROWN EYES. HE HAS MADE HIS LIVING AS A SELF EMPLOYED FIREWOOD DEALER. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON HIS WHEREABOUTS IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE CLEARLAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT. CALLERS CAN REMAIN ANONYMOUS.

PUREED PORK RECALL JKB 9/27/11

· MORE THAN 5,500 POUNDS OF PUREED PORK PRODUCTS ARE BEING RECALLED BECAUSE THEY MAY CONTAIN SMALL PIECES OF METAL OR OTHER FOREIGN MATERIALS.

THE PRODUCTS INCLUDE 4.5 POUND BOXES OF IMPERIAL SYSCO PUREE SHAPED MEATS COUNTRY STYLE PORK AND BINDER PRODUCT MANUFACTURED BY K. HEEPS, INC. OF ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA. EACH BOX BEARS EST.9379 INSIDE THE USDA MARK OF INSPECTION AND A PRODUCTION CODE OF JUNE 16TH. THE TAINTED MEAT WAS SHIPPED TO 11 STATES INCLUDING CALIFORNIA. NO ILLNESS OR INJURY FROM CONSUMPTION OF THE PRODUCTS HAS BEEN REPORTED.

DEATH INVESTIGATION AT HOSPITAL JKB 9/27/11

· SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL OFFICIALS ARE INVESTIGATING THE DEATH OF A DISCHARGED EMERGENCY ROOM PATIENT WHOSE BODY WAS FOUND ON THE EDGE OF ITS PROPERTY LAST TUESDAY.

49 YEAR OLD MICHAEL TORRES WAS FOUND DEAD NEAR THE SOUTHWESTERN CORNER OF THE HOSPITAL GROUNDS AT AROUND 8 AM TUESDAY MORNING, ABOUT 12 HOURS AFTER HE HAD RECEIVED CARE IN THE ER FOR UNDISCLOSED REASONS. A PRELIMINARY AUTOPSY REPORT SHOWED TORRES COULD HAVE DIED OF PNEUMONIA OR SWELLING OF THE ARTERIES AND HEART. THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE SONOMA COUNTY CORONER ARE ALSO CONDUCTING INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE DEATH.

DOWNTOWN ZONING WORKSHOP TONIGHT JKB 9/27/11

· THE CITY OF UKIAH WILL HOLD ANOTHER WORKSHOP ON THE PROPOSED DOWNTOWN ZONING CODE TONIGHT.

THE AGENDA INCLUDES IDEAS FOR LIMITING RATHER THAN BANNING FAST FOOD CHAINS DOWNTOWN. THE MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE AT 6 PM IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS.

LIGHT RAIN WAS THE CAUSE OF NUMEROUS CRASHES AROUND LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES EARLY SUNDAY.

THE RAIN AND HEAVY FOG IN SOME AREAS LEFT ROADWAYS SLICK WITH OIL THAT HAD BEEN DEPOSITED OVER THE SUMMER MONTHS, LEADING TO A NUMBER OF CRASHES, MOST OF WHICH WERE NOT SERIOUS. A MOTORCYCLE RIDER WHO CRASHED JUST SOUTH OF HOPLAND AT AROUND 12:20 PM WAS AIRLIFTED TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WITH MODERATE TO MAJOR INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THAT CRASH IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

MAN ASSAULT PREGNANT GIRLFRIEND JKB 9/26/11

A GUALALA MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY ASSAULTING HIS PREGNANT GIRLFRIEND ON SATURDAY.

A CITIZEN WHO REPORTED THAT A WOMAN WAS BEING ASSAULTED CALLED DEPUTIES TO THE HOME AT AROUND 3:45 PM. WHEN THEY ARRIVED THEY FOUND THE 26 YEAR OLD VICTIM WITH INJURIES TO HER HEAD AND FACE. 25 YEAR OLD MELVIN STEWART KING WAS ARRESTED AT THE SCENE AND BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL ON A NUMBER OF ASSAULT AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARGES.

MOTORCYCLE GANG SHOOTOUT LEAVES ONE DEAD JKB 9/26/11

A MEMBER OF THE HELLS ANGELS MOTORCYCLE CLUB WAS ARRESTED IN SPARKS NEVADA AFTER A BRAWL BETWEEN RIVAL GANG MEMBERS EVOLVED INTO A SHOOTOUT THAT LEFT ONE BIKER DEAD.

36 YEAR OLD CESAR VILLAGRANA WAS ARRESTED AFTER SURVEILLANCE VIDEO SHOWED HIM SHOOTING INTO THE CROWD DURING THE FRIGHT FRIDAY NIGHT. 51 YEAR OLD JEFFREY PETTIGREW, PRESIDENT OF THE SAN JOSE CHAPTER OF THE HELLS ANGELS WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE VICTIM OF THE SHOOTING. TWO MEMBERS OF THE VAGOS MOTORCYCLE CLUB WERE ALSO SHOT. BOTH WERE LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION AT AN AREA HOSPITAL. A SECOND SHOOTING, BELIEVED TO BE RETALIATORY, OCCURRED AT 10:49 AM THE NEXT MORNING. A MOTORCYCLIST TRAVELING DOWN A STREET WAS SHOT IN THE STOMACH BY A GUNMAN IN A CAR THAT PULLED ALONGSIDE HIM. THE NAME OF THAT VICTIM AND ANY GANG AFFILIATION HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED.

PITTMAN MEMORIAL JKB 9/26/11

MORE THAN 1000 PEOPLE PAID THEIR RESPECTS TO U.S. NAVY SEAL JESSE PITTMAN AT THE UKIAH FAIRGROUNDS ON SATURDAY, WITH MORE ON THE STREETS SHOWING THEIR SUPPORT AS THE MEMORIAL PROCESSION DROVE BY.

THE FORMER WILLITS GRADUATE WAS ONE OF 30 U.S SERVICE MEMBERS KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN WHEN INSURGENTS SHOT DOWN THEIR HELICOPTER AUGUST 6TH. MORE THAN 30 NAVY SEALS FROM PITTMANS HOME BASE IN SAN DIEGO ATTENDED THE SERVICE. A SMALL CONTINGENT OF MEMBERS FROM THE WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH DEMONSTRATED AT THE MCDONALDS RESTAURANT ON NORTH STATE STREET, BUT DID NOT DISRUPT THE SERVICE.

E-QUAKE NEAR ANGWIN JKB 9/26/11

AN AREA 3 MILES EAST NORTH EAST OF ANGWIN AND 7 MILES NORTH, NORTH EAST OF SAINT HELENA WAS SHAKEN BY A 3.4 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE EARLY THIS MORNING.

THE QUAKE OCCURRED AT 2:01 AM. IT WAS FOLLOWED BY TWO AFTERSHOCKS OF 2.1 AND 2.0 IN MAGNITUDE. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPORTS OF DAMAGE OR INJURIES.

EYSTER CONTRIBUTOR SUES LINTOTT JKB 9/26/1`1

ONE OF THE MAJOR CASH CONTRIBUTORS TO MENDOCINO DISTRICT ATTORNEY DAVID EYSTERS CAMPAIGN HAS FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST FORMER DISTRICT ATTORNEY MEREDITH LINTOTT, ALLEGING STATEMENTS SHE MADE DURING THE RACE FOR THE D.AS OFFICE WERE SLANDEROUS AND MALICIOUS.

LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER ROBERT FOREST FILED THE COMPLAINT THURSDAY, SAYING LINTOTT PUBLICLY ACCUSED HIM IN A LOCAL RADIO AD AND A TELEVISED DEBATE, OF BRIBING EYSTER WITH A $10,000 CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION IN ORDER TO GET A CONCEALED WEAPONS PERMIT AFTER ALLEGEDLY THREATENING AN UNARMED MAN WITH A GUN IN 2006. THE ASSAULT CHARGE IN THAT CASE WAS DROPPED. FOREST IS SUING FOR LOSS OF PERSONAL AND BUSINESS REPUTATION, SHAME, MORTIFICATION AND INJURY TO HIS FEELING THAT CAUSED DAMAGE TO HIM, IN AN AMOUNT SUBJECT O PROOF AT TRIAL.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY MEETING JKB 9/26/11

MENDOCINO COUNTY SUPERVISOR JOHN MCCOWEN WILL HOLD THE SECOND COMMUNITY MEETING TO TAKE INPUT ON A MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY ORDINANCE TODAY.

THE MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 4 TO 6 PM IN THE MENDOCINO HOTEL CONFERENCE ROOM IN MENDOCINO. AT LEAST TWO MORE COMMUNITY MEETINGS ARE PLANNED TO TAKE PLACE, ONE IN THE NORTH COUNTY, AND POSSIBLY ONE IN BOONEVILLE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. MCCOWEN SAYS HE HOPES TO SUBMIT A DRAFT ORDINANCE TO THE BOARD BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

CALTRANS AND THE CHP JOIN FORCES JKB 9/26/11

CALTRANS AND THE CHP HAS TEAMED UP TO PROVIDE ENHANCED SPEED AND DUI ENFORCEMENT IN HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE ZONES ACROSS THE STATE.

CHP OFFICERS WILL BEGIN PARKING THEIR PATROL VEHICLES WITHIN WORK ZONES IN AN EFFORT TO GET MOTORISTS TO SLOW DOWN WHEN THEY APPROACH CALTRANS WORK SITES. THE PARTNERSHIP WAS BROUGHT ABOUT BY A SPIKE IN HIGHWAY WORKER DEATHS. FOUR CALTRANS WORKERS HAVE DIED IN TRAFFIC RELATED INCIDENTS DURING THE PAST YEAR. THREE OF THEM WERE KILLED WITH A 48 DAY PERIOD DURING MAY AND JUNE.

A CLEARLAKE WOMAN WAS ARRESTED EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING AFTER SHE ALLEGEDLY SHOT A RIFLE AT HER HUSBAND DURING A DOMESTIC DISPUTE.

THE VICTIM CALLED POLICE AT 1:15 AM AND REPORTED THAT HIS WIFE, 33 YEAR OLD BILLIE JO SEVEY WAS ARMED WITH A RIFLE AND WAS SHOOTING AT HIM INSIDE THEIR HOME. WHEN OFFICERS ARRIVED THEY FOUND THE MAN OUT IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE UNINJURED. SEVEY SOON CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE WITH HER CHILDREN AND SURRENDERED TO POLICE. A LOADED 45/70 RIFLE WAS FOUND IN THE BACKYARD OF THE HOME, ALONG WITH THREE EXPENDED CARTRIDGES. POLICE ALSO SAY SEVERAL BULLET HOLES WERE LOCATED INSIDE THE HOUSE.

MISSING MAN MAY BE VICTIM OF FOUL PLAY JKB 9/23/11

HUMBOLDT COUNTY AUTHORITIES ARE LOOKING FOR A MAN WHO THEY SAY MAY BE THE VICTIM OF FOUL PLAY.

44 YEAR OLD ROBERT DALE SEARS WAS LAST SEEN IN THE EUREKA AREA ON SEPTEMBER 1ST, BUT MAY HAVE RECENTLY BEEN IN THE DINSMORE AREA. POLICE ARE ALSO TRYING TO FIND THE MANS 19 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER APRIL SEARS. SEARS AND HIS DAUGHTER ARE BOTH TRANSIENTS. INVESTIGATORS DID NOT RELEASE DETAILS AS TO WHY THEY THINK HE MAY BE THE VICTIM OF A CRIME.

PITTMAN MEMORIAL JKB 9/23/11

THE UKIAH MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR FORMER WILLITS RESIDENT AND NAVY SEAL JESSE PITTMAN IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN AT 11 AM TOMORROW MORNING AT THE REDWOOD EMPIRE FAIRGROUNDS.

HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE ASKING THAT THOSE WISHING TO HONOR HIS LIFE, LINE THE STREETS OF UKIAH AS THE FAMILY IS ESCORTED TO THE FAIRGROUNDS. THE MEMORIAL PROCESSION IS EXPECTED TO EXIT HIGHWAY 101 BETWEEN 10 AND 10:l5 AM, TRAVEL WEST ON EAST PERKINS STREET TO STATE STREET, AND THEN HEAD NORTH TO THE FAIRGROUNDS. THOSE WISHING TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT ARE ASKED TO BRING A SMALL AMERICAN FLAG IF POSSIBLE AND PICK A SPOT ALONG THE ROUTE TO STAND. PITTMAN WAS KILLED AUGUST 6TH ALONG WITH 29 OTHER SERVICE MEMBERS WHEN THEIR HELICOPTER CRASHED IN AFGHANISTAN. THOSE WISHING TO DONATE MONEY TO THE MEMORIAL CAN SEND IT TO THE JESSE PITTMAN FUND, IN CARE OF THE AGABE BIBLE CHURCH IN WILLITS.

IN A RELATED NOTE, MEMBERS OF THE WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH HAVE ANNOUNCED THAT THEY PLAN TO PICKET THE MEMORIAL. ACCORDING TO THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE, MEMBERS OF THE PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, WHO ROUTINELY RUN INTERFERENCE BETWEEN WBC PROTESTORS AND THE FAMILY OF FALLEN SERVICE MEMBERS, WILL ALSO BE IN ATTENDANCE.

STUDENT PLEADS IN CROSSWALK DEATH JKB 9/23/11

A SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT WHO WAS TEXTING BEHIND THE WHEEL OF HER CAR WHEN SHE STRUCK AND KILLED A 2 YEAR OLD GIRL AND SERIOUSLY INJURED HER MOTHER, PLEADED NO CONTEST TO MISDEMEANOR VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER YESTERDAY IN A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT THAT SHE WOULD RECEIVE PROBATION AND NO JAIL TIME.

THE JUDGE HOWEVER, COULD SENTENCE DIFFERENTLY. IF THE AGREEMENT STANDS, 18 YEAR OLD KAITLYN DUNAWAY WOULD RECEIVE 3 YEARS PROBATION AND BE ORDERED TO COMPLETE ABOUT 300 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AIMED AT EDUCATING YOUTHS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF DISTRACTED DRIVING. DUNAWAY SEVERELY INJURED 40 YEAR OLD LING MURRAY AND KILLED 2 YEAR OLD CALLI MURRAY WHEN SHE HIT THEM AS THEY WERE CROSSING THE ROAD IN A CROSSWALK IN ROHNERT PARK DECEMBER 1ST OF LAST YEAR. CALLIS FATHER JEFF MURRAY SAYS HE AND HIS WIFE WOULD ASK THE JUDGE TO IMPOSE JAIL TIME WHEN DUNAWAY IS SENTENCED NOVEMBER 16TH. DUNAWAYS ATTORNEY SAYS THEY WILL CHANGE THEIR PLEA AND GO TO TRIAL IF THE JUDGE CHANGES HIS MIND.

MAN ARRESTED WITH AK-47 NEAR SCHOOL JKB 9/23/11

HUMBOLDT COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTIES RESPONDING TO A CALL OF A MAN BEHAVING ERRATICALLY AND FIRING A RIFLE ALONG A ROADWAY JUST A MILE FROM MAPLE CREEK SCHOOL, ARRESTED A MCKINLEYVILLE MAN ARMED WITH AN AK-47 YESTERDAY.

THE SCHOOL WAS PUT ON LOCKDOWN BRIEFLY AS DEPUTIES LOCATED 25 YEAR OLD MELVIN COFFER. COFFER WAS FOUND ALONG A LOGGING ROAD APPROXIMATELY A MILE BEHIND THE SCHOOL LYING DOWN ON THE GROUND ON TOP OF THE LOADED ASSAULT RIFLE. HE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY WITHOUT INCIDENT AT AROUND 1 PM.

MEMORIAL FOR CASSMAN JKB 9/23/11

A MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR A FORMER LAKE COUNTY WOMAN WHO WAS KILLED IN MAUI HAWAII WILL TAKE PLACE AT LIGHTHOUSE POINT IN SANTA CRUZ TOMORROW.

THE MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR 35 YEAR OLD CELESTIAL SUMMER DOVE CASSMAN WILL TAKE PLACE AT 3 PM. CASSMAN WAS FOUND DUMPED OVER A CLIFF EDGE NEAR NAKALELE POINT ON SEPTEMBER 1ST, JUST A DAY AFTER SHE AND HER MALE COMPANION, GERALD GALAWAY JR OF SANTA CRUZ ARRIVED ON THE ISLAND FOR A VACATION. CALAWAY HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH HER MURDER.

CAL FIRE TRAINING BURN JKB 9/23/11

LAYTONVILLE CAL FIRE, ALONG WITH THE LONG VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT WILL BE CONDUCTING ITS ANNUAL TRAINING EXERCISE THIS EVENING.

THE TRAINING WILL BE IN THE FIELD ACROSS FROM THE LAYTONVILLE CAL FIRE STATION AT THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 101 AND TEN MILE ROAD. THE TRAINING WILL CONSIST OF A PRESCRIBED BURN AND WILL BEGIN AT 6 PM TONIGHT. THE TRAINING EXERCISE IS NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

SPLASH IN BEGINS TODAY JB 9/23/11

THE 32ND ANNUAL CLEAR LAKE SPLASH IN, THE LARGEST GATHERING OF SEAPLANES AND AMPHIBIAN PLANES WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI BEGINS TODAY AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH SUNDAY.

TOMORROW THE PUBLIC CAN GET A CLOSE UP LOOK AT THE FLOAT PLANES, TALK WITH PILOTS AND SEE AERIAL EVENTS INCLUDING WATER BOMBING CONTESTS, A PARADE OF SEAPLANES, FLY-BYS AND MORE. THE EVENT IS FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT RELEASED MORE DETAILS OF AN INCIDENT IN WHICH A MAN DIED WHILE TRYING TO STEAL MARIJUANA FROM A GROW SITE IN THE AREA OF BIG CANYON AND ETTAWA SPRINGS ROADS MONDAY NIGHT.

DEPUTIES WERE ALERTED TO THE SITUATION WHEN 20 YEAR OLD SALVADOR JUNIOR MOSQUEDA OF STOCKTON EMERGED FROM THE WOODS SCREAMING FOR HELP. HE REPORTED THAT HE AND THE VICTIM WERE TAKING MARIJUANA FROM THE SITE WHEN THEY RAN HEARD AN APPROACHING ATV AND FLED AT AROUND 9:30 PM. WHILE RUNNING AWAY, THE VICTIM FELL INTO A RAVINE AND SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES. HIS BODY WAS RECOVERED TUESDAY MORNING. HIS NAME HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED PENDING NOTIFICATION OF FAMILY MEMBERS. MOSQUEDA WAS ARRESTED ON CULTIVATION AND GRAND THEFT CHARGES. POLICE FOUND SEVERAL GARDENS POSTED AS ALLEGED MEDICAL MARIJUANA GROWS IN THE AREA.

MISSING HUNTER FOUND JKB 9/22/11

A MISSING WILLOW CREEK MAN WHO BECAME LOST WHILE ON A HUNTING TRIP IN TRINITY COUNTY WAS FOUND SAFE AND SOUND AFTER MORE THAN 86 HOURS IN THE WILDERNESS.

25 YEAR OLD EVAN CUTTING BECAME SEPARATED FROM HIS FRIENDS AT AROUND 11 AM SATURDAY. HE WAS FOUND AT 11:30 PM TUESDAY QUITE A DISTANCE FROM WHERE HE LAST BEEN SEEN SATURDAY MORNING. AUTHORITIES SAID CUTTING WAS DEHYDRATED AND HAD BLISTERED FEET, BUT WAS OTHERWISE OK.

EQUINE HERPES OUTBREAK SPREADS JKB 9/22/11

STATE DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE OFFICIALS SAY MORE HORSES HAVE CONTRACTED A POTENTIALLY FATAL VIRUS IN A NEW OUTBREAK EQUINE HERPES, WHICH CANCELLED ALL KINDS OF HORSE RELATED SHOWS AND EVENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY IN MAY.

THERE ARE CURRENTLY 22 CONFIRMED CASES OF THE EQUINE HERPES VIRUS IN 12 DIFFERENT COUNTIES. TWO OF THE HORSES EITHER DIED OR WERE EUTHANIZED. THE REST HAVE BEEN PLACED UNDER QUARANTINE. THE OUTBREAK WAS TRACED TO A HORSE SHOW IN UTAH.

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR BOGNER ANNOUNCED JKB 9/22/11

THE ROTARY CLUB OF SOUTH UKIAH HAS ANNOUNCED THAT A MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR LONGTIME RESIDENT, REALTOR, AND FELLOW ROTARIAN JOHN BOGNER IS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 1ST AT THE LAKE MENDOCINO CLUBHOUSE.

BOGNER PASSED AWAY AT HIS HOME ON MONDAY. THE MEMORIAL WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. THE TIME OF THE EVENT HAS NOT YET BEEN ANNOUNCED.

ACTUARIAL FIRM TO PAY FOR MISTAKE JKB 9/22/11

MENDOCINO COUNTYS RETIREMENT FUND WILL RECEIVE A $587,000 SETTLEMENT FROM ITS FORMER ACTUARIAL FIRM FOR ERRORS THAT WILL COST THE COUNTY FOR YEARS TO COME.

BUCK CONSULTANTS ADMITTED THAT THEY MADE ERRORS IN PAST ACTUARY STUDIES THAT RESULTED IN A UNEXPECTED MAJOR INCREASE IN THE COUNTYS RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTION RATE. COUNTY OFFICIALS ESTIMATED IT WAS A $3.3 MILLION DOLLAR MISTAKE AND FIRED THE NEW JERSEY BASED COMPANY LAST YEAR.

NURSES STRIKE JKB 9/22/11

NURSES AT SUTTER LAKESIDE HOSPITAL IN LAKEPORT AND 33 OTHER HOSPITALS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WILL WALK OFF THE JOB TODAY, IN A PLANNED ONE DAY STRIKE.

THE STRIKE WILL BEGIN AT 7 AM AND WILL LAST UNTIL 7 AM TOMORROW. MORE THAN 23,000 NURSES ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE FROM SUTTER AND KAISER PERMANENTE HOSPITALS, AS WELL AS CHILDRENS HOSPITAL IN OAKLAND. THE NURSES ARE STRIKING FOR THE RIGHTS TO SPEAK OUT FOR PATIENTS, AND AGAINST PROPOSED CUTS IN HEALTH CARE AND RETIREE COVERAGE. SUTTER LAKESIDE SAYS THEY HAVE REPLACEMENT NURSES TO COVER THE STRIKE.

NEW FROST PROTECTION RULES JKB 9/22/11

THE STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD ADOPTED NEW REGULATIONS TUESDAY, LIMITING THE AMOUNT OF WATER THAT CAN BE DIVERTED FROM THE RUSSIAN RIVER FOR FROST PROTECTION IN ORDER TO PROTECT SALMON.

THE NEW RULES ALSO WILL REQUIRE THAT ACCURATE RECORDS BE KEPT FOR THE WATER USED. GRAPE GROWERS ALONG THE RUSSIAN RIVER ARE FRUSTRATED WITH THE NEW RULES, AND SAY THEY TOOK STEPS TO PREVENT SITUATIONS THAT LED TO A RUN ON WATER IN APRIL OF 2008 THAT TRAPPED HUNDREDS OF SALMON FRY, BY CREATING THE VOLUNTARY RUSSIAN RIVER FROST PROGRAM. THE NEW REGULATIONS WILL GO INTO EFFECT NEXT SPRING.

CONTRACTOR CHOSEN FOR MENDO COLLEGE LAKE COUNTY CAMPUS JKB 9/22/11

A CONTRACTOR HAS BEEN CHOSEN TO BUILD MENDOCINO COLLEGES NEW LAKE COUNTY CAMPUS IN LAKEPORT.

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES PICKED WRIGHT CONTRACTING OUT OF SANTA ROSA FOR THE 15,000 SQUARE FOOT $10 MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT THAT WILL BE LOCATED ON 31 ACRES OFF PARALLEL DRIVE, A MILE SOUTH OF THE CURRENT COLLEGE CENTER. THE PROJECT IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE PASSAGE OF LOCAL BOND MEASURE W IN 2006 THAT WAS APPROVED BY VOTERS IN BOTH LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES. THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY DECEMBER OF 2012.

A MAN DIED WHILE TRYING TO STEAL MARIJUANA FROM A GROW SITE ON BIG CANYON ROAD NEAR MIDDLETOWN.

ACCORDING TO THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT, THE MAN, WHOSE NAME HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED, FELL OFF A RAVINE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STEAL THE MARIJUANA LATE MONDAY NIGHT. HIS BODY WAS RECOVERED TUESDAY MORNING. NO OTHER DETAILS ABOUT THE INCIDENT HAVE BEEN RELEASED.

BLOODHOUNDS JOIN SEARCH FOR BASSLER JKB 9/21/11

TWO MORE BLOODHOUNDS HAVE JOINED THE SEARCH FOR DOUBLE HOMICIDE SUSPECT AARON BASSLER, BRINGING TO THE NUMBER OF DOGS TO SIX THAT ARE INVOLVED OPERATION.

THE DOGS AND THEIR HANDLERS JOINED A FORCE OF ABOUT 50 LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS COMBING THE WOODS BETWEEN FORT BRAGG AND WILLITS. THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT REPORTED YESTERDAY THAT TO DATE, 2,690 HOURS OF OVERTIME ALONE AT A COST OF ROUGHLY $133,000, HAVE BEEN SPENT IN THE SEARCH. THAT FIGURE DOES NOT INCLUDE REGULAR WORK TIME HOURS OF PERSONNEL ASSIGNED TO THE CASE, OR FROM OUTSIDE AGENCIES.

PLANE BOMB THREAT JKB 9/21/11

A BOMB THREAT AGAINST AN ALASKA AIRLINES FLIGHT FROM SEATTLE TO OAKLAND TURNED OUT TO BE A HOAX YESTERDAY.

A CLERK AT A BOOKSTORE AT SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DISCOVERED A NOTE CONTAINING A THREAT AGAINST THE FLIGHT AT AROUND 7 AM. SHE NOTIFIED AUTHORITIES AND FLIGHT 342 CARRYING 126 PASSENGERS AND 6 CREW WAS DIVERTED TO A REMOTE AREA OF OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AS IT LANDED FROM SEATTLE JUST BEFORE 8 AM. PASSENGERS WERE TAKEN TO A HOLDING AREA AND RE-SCREENED AS BOMB-SNIFFING DOGS INSPECTED LUGGAGE ON THE TARMAC. NO BOMB WAS FOUND AND THE PASSENGERS WERE LATER RELEASED. THE INCIDENT REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

SEARCH FOR MISSING HUNTER JKB 9/21/11

TRINITY COUNTY AUTHORITIES ARE CONTINUING TO SEARCH FOR A WILLOW CREEK MAN WHO GOT LOST WHILE HUNTING IN THE CORRAL BOTTOM AREA BETWEEN BIG BAR AND HAYFORK ON SATURDAY.

25 YEAR OLD EVAN CUTTING BECAME SEPARATED FROM HIS HUNTING PARTNER SATURDAY MORNING. THE TWO MEN WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE EACH OTHER VIA TEXT MESSAGE. THE LAST MESSAGE FROM CUTTING WAS RECEIVED AT AROUND 7:30 PM. HIS HUNTING PARTNER THEN CALLED 911 AND REPORTED THE INCIDENT. THE TRINITY COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT BEGAN SEARCH EFFORTS SUNDAY MORNING.

AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE TO TEMPORARILY BAN NEW MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES IN MENDOCINO COUNTY FAILED TO PASS AT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING YESTERDAY.

THE MORATORIUM ORDINANCE NEEDED FOUR OF THE FIVE VOTES IN FAVOR TO GO INTO EFFECT. 3RD DISTRICT SUPERVISOR JOHN PINCHES DISSENTED, WHILE 5TH DISTRICT SUPERVISOR DAN HAMBURG RECUSED HIMSELF BECAUSE IT WAS HIS DAUGHTERS PLANNED NEW DISPENSARY IN BOONEVILLE THAT TRIGGERED THE ORDINANCE THAT WAS BEING SOUGHT BY SOME ANDERSON VALLEY RESIDENTS.

NURSES TO GO ON STRIKE JKB 9/21/11

CLOSE TO 23,000 NURSES AT 34 HOSPITALS, INCLUDING SUTTER LAKESIDE IN LAKEPORT, ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN A ONE DAY STRIKE ON THURSDAY.

HOSPITALS OPERATING UNDER SUTTER AND KAISER PERMANENTE AND CHILDRENS HOSPITAL IN OAKLAND WILL TAKE PART. THE NURSES ARE STRIKING FOR THE RIGHTS TO SPEAK OUT FOR PATIENTS, AS WELL AS AGAINST PROPOSED CUTS IN HEALTH CARE AND RETIREE COVERAGE. THE STRIKE WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 7 AM THURSDAY TO 7AM FRIDAY. SUTTER LAKESIDE SAYS THEY ARE PREPARED AND HAVE REPLACEMENT NURSES TO COVER THE STRIKE.

POT BUST JKB 9/21/11

A ROUTINE CALL FOR AN ALTERCATION IN KELSEYVILLE TURNED INTO A MAJOR DRUG BUST YESTERDAY MORNING.

INVESTIGATING DEPUTIES USING A K-9 UNIT SEARCHING FOR A SUSPECT WERE ALERTED TO THE OPERATION WHEN THE DOG INDICATED THERE WAS MARIJUANA IN THE AREA. AFTER SECURING A SEARCH WARRANT, POLICE FOUND 2077 GROWING MARIJUANA PLANTS AND 468 POUNDS OF PROCESSED WEED. JAIME DIAZ RIVERA AND SERGIO ULISES ALVAREZ DIAZ WERE ARRESTED AT THE SCENE ON CULTIVATION AND POSSESSION CHARGES, AS WELL AS IMMIGRATION VIOLATIONS.